OUR lives hang by a single gene which if removed sees our bodies close down in days, scientists have discovered.

And they say that by studying it they could find new ways to slow the ageing process and treat a number of major illnesses.

Researchers took the “life gene”, called the Wilms’ Tumour, from mice and watched in amazement as they went into rapid decline.

Within days the mice stopped producing oxygen-carrying red cells and lost most of their body fat.

Their bones became brittle and their kidneys and pancreas stopped working. Scientists believe if they can understand how the gene works it could open up new treatments for kidney failure, osteoporosis and a range of cancers.

Dr You-Ying Chau, from the Medical Research Council’s Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, said: “It’s the most dramatic discovery we’ve ever made. It’s astonishing to think that the removal of a single gene can tip the body’s balance into almost total shut down.”

The gene was previously thought to be involved only in the organ development of unborn babies.

The researchers, whose findings appear in the journal PLoS Genetics, say it could be 20 years before they can to use the discovery to develop new treatments.